Qatar- Stenden plans research on FIFA 2022 sustainability

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Stenden University Qatar (SUQ) is embarking on the first phase of a QR856,000 research project funded by National Priorities Research Programme (NPRP), the flagship funding programme of Qatar Foundation's Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), to promote a sustainable and positive legacy for Qatar's FIFA World Cup in 2022

The two-year project 'Leveraging the 2022 Qatar World Football Cup for the promotion of green and active living: A multiple stakeholder evaluation of strategic options' is a collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland.

The focus will be on promoting healthy, active lifestyles and green initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint in Qatar.

This is the first SUQ project to receive QNRF funding, and signals a new emphasis on research as the university's academics gear up to initiate tourism research projects to help realise the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy

Dr Theodoraki is an international events expert recently involved with Unesco in preparing the sports policy agenda for the World Congress of Sport Ministers. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, also appointed her Commissioner in the Commission of a Sustainable London 2012

The team will liaise with event organisers, public health experts, physical educators, city planners and environmental agencies in Qatar to develop findings to be shared with the government and FIFA.

Initially, they will contact event organisers in Qatar across sectors, including sports, health, education, banking, retail business and technology, to assess through an online questionnaire what green and active campaigns and messages are being promoted in Qatar via events.

The project aims to be a knowledge-sharing platform, setting up a network for organisers to ensure their events promote positive social habits

Recycling and low carbon use are among these as well as increased physical activity and sports participation, all of which will help create a positive legacy for the 2022 World Cup

Dr Musinguzi said: "This is a fascinating and highly topical issue, not only in Qatar but for the organisers of international events throughout the world € how they can create a sustainable legacy from events to benefit those living in the country for years to come.

"We are grateful to QNRF for its generous funding and to our partners at Edinburgh Napier University. As SUQ continues to strengthen its research capabilities, this will be the first of many projects our academic experts will be working on to support sports' tourism development and diversification of Qatar's economy.

Dr Theodoraki, said: "Mega sporting events have the power to inspire social change. Qatar has a great opportunity to use the 2022 World Cup to encourage people to adopt green and active lifestyles

"By engaging with experts in Qatar and the UK we aim to find out what opportunities exist to promote environmentally sound habits such as recycling and low carbon use, as well as healthy physical activity and sports participation in the run- up to the event, and beyond it," Dr Theodoraki said

The questionnaire will also be accessible to event organisers via the group's Facebook page: Green and Active Living Qatar